Short answer: Use PDF2XLS to turn any PDF table into a real .xlsx, then save that sheet as CSV in Excel or Google Sheets. It’s free for 3 files/day, one file up to 10 MB. Scans and photos are supported via GPT‑5 Vision. We output .xlsx only; export to CSV takes two clicks in your editor.
- Free tier: 3 files/day, no signup
- Max size: 10 MB per file
- Output: .xlsx (open in Excel/Sheets, then save as CSV)
- Scans/photos: Supported with GPT‑5 Vision (OCR included)
- Privacy: Files process on the server and are deleted immediately
- Works on: Any browser — Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, Android
Can I get a CSV directly?
No — this tool outputs .xlsx. To end up with a CSV, convert the PDF here first, then use Excel or Google Sheets to export as CSV. That route keeps the table grid (rows, columns, numbers) while letting you choose the exact CSV flavor (standard CSV or CSV UTF‑8).
What’s the difference between CSV and XLSX?
CSV is plain text: one sheet, comma‑separated values, no formulas, no formatting. XLSX is a spreadsheet format that can hold multiple sheets, data types, and formulas. We produce XLSX because it captures structure reliably from PDFs. If your target app needs CSV, simply export the sheet to CSV after reviewing the data.
How to turn a PDF into a CSV (fast)
- Drop your PDF above (10 MB max). The engine detects tables, including scanned pages.
- Download the .xlsx result and open it in Excel or Google Sheets.
- In Excel: File → Save As (or Save a Copy) → choose “CSV” or “CSV UTF‑8 (Comma delimited)”.
- In Google Sheets: File → Download → Comma‑separated values (.csv, current sheet).
If your file is a scan and you want extra pointers, see
OCR for scanned PDFs. If you only need a spreadsheet, not CSV, go straight to
Convert PDF to Excel free.
How do I tell if my PDF is a scan?
Try selecting text in the PDF. If you can’t highlight characters and copying gives an image, it’s a scan. PDF2XLS runs OCR automatically, so there’s nothing to enable — just upload. Photo quality matters: skew, blur, or low contrast can reduce accuracy.
CSV edge cases to check before you import
- Characters and accents: In Excel, prefer “CSV UTF‑8” to keep non‑English characters intact.
- Commas and line breaks inside cells: These are quoted in CSV; your target system must respect quotes.
- Dates and leading zeros: If a column is an ID or ZIP, set its format to Text in XLSX before saving to CSV.
- Decimal separators: Confirm your target system expects a dot or a comma; export accordingly.
- Multiple tables/pages: Keep the sheet with the table you need, delete extras, then export.
When should I use CSV vs XLSX?
Choose CSV when you’re importing into databases, CRMs, BI tools, or scripts that expect plain text. Keep XLSX when you need formulas, multiple sheets, or on‑screen analysis. Either way, the first step here is the same: get a clean .xlsx from the PDF, then export if you need CSV.
If you handle tables often and want a general overview, the
Online PDF converter for Excel page outlines how the spreadsheet output works across editors.
Ready to go? Upload above to
convert your PDF now.